Director - Director of Surface Measurements

Texas Tech University•Lubbock, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Directs, plans, coordinates and supervises the operations and activities of a specialized unit or small department; develops and implements policies and procedures, administers the budget, organizes tasks and sets priorities. Serves as liaison with university personnel and community at large. Works under general supervision with broad latitude for initiative and independent judgement. Provide leadership and strategic planning for the combined West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather station network, including long-term vision, expansion priorities, sustainability, operational goals, and performance metrics. Administer all aspects of the TxDOT roadside weather observation project, including project planning, installation and maintenance activities, contractor and consultant oversight, compliance, sponsor reporting, timelines, and performance accountability. Manage and strengthen relationships with TxDOT, federal and state agencies, the National Weather Service, network users, sponsors, contractors, consulting engineers, landowners, and other external stakeholders. Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of automated quality assurance and quality control processes, targeted data products and streams, and web-based tools serving network users and the public. Lead and supervise technical staff and field teams responsible for weather station installation, maintenance, calibration, real-time data transmission, troubleshooting, and network reliability. Establish operational priorities, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, support employee development, and ensure that personnel and resources are aligned with program objectives. Oversee budgets, project timelines, contracts, operational resources, and sponsor requirements associated with the West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather network. Lead proposal development and external funding efforts to support network operations, research, infrastructure improvements, expansion, and related initiatives. Ensure the operational reliability and continuity of the observing network, including coordination with information technology and cloud architecture personnel regarding data systems, hybrid infrastructure, cybersecurity, data storage, and product delivery. Progressively assume full operational leadership of the West Texas Mesonet, including the integrated TxDOT roadside weather stations, during and following the planned leadership transition period. Drive to Mesonet sites to conduct or oversee field installations, maintenance visits, and site assessments as needed for quality control, troubleshooting, stakeholder relationship management, and system performance evaluation. Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, standards, documentation, and training related to network operations, workplace and field safety, data quality, equipment maintenance, and regulatory or sponsor compliance. Evaluate current and emerging technologies related to meteorological instrumentation, communications systems, data acquisition, cloud computing, automated quality control, and public-facing data delivery. Prepare and present technical, operational, and programmatic reports to NWI leadership, sponsors, agency representatives, and other stakeholders. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and strategic priorities of the National Wind Institute.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
At least six years of progressively responsible management or leadership experience in weather observation network operations, environmental monitoring, research infrastructure, engineering, or a closely related area.
Demonstrated experience with the installation, maintenance, calibration, and operation of mesonet, roadside weather, environmental monitoring, or comparable observation systems.
Experience leading technical personnel, supervising field teams, managing contractors, or coordinating complex, multisite operations.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, operational priorities, deliverables, and external sponsor requirements.
Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, sponsors, contractors, researchers, landowners, and other stakeholders.
Ability to drive extensively, work extended hours in the field when necessary, and perform work in harsh or variable outdoor environments.
Eligibility to drive TTU vehicles, including a valid U.S. driver license and two years of driving experience.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic planning for the combined West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather station network, including long-term vision, expansion priorities, sustainability, operational goals, and performance metrics.
Administer all aspects of the TxDOT roadside weather observation project, including project planning, installation and maintenance activities, contractor and consultant oversight, compliance, sponsor reporting, timelines, and performance accountability.
Manage and strengthen relationships with TxDOT, federal and state agencies, the National Weather Service, network users, sponsors, contractors, consulting engineers, landowners, and other external stakeholders.
Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of automated quality assurance and quality control processes, targeted data products and streams, and web-based tools serving network users and the public.
Lead and supervise technical staff and field teams responsible for weather station installation, maintenance, calibration, real-time data transmission, troubleshooting, and network reliability.
Establish operational priorities, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, support employee development, and ensure that personnel and resources are aligned with program objectives.
Oversee budgets, project timelines, contracts, operational resources, and sponsor requirements associated with the West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather network.
Lead proposal development and external funding efforts to support network operations, research, infrastructure improvements, expansion, and related initiatives.
Ensure the operational reliability and continuity of the observing network, including coordination with information technology and cloud architecture personnel regarding data systems, hybrid infrastructure, cybersecurity, data storage, and product delivery.
Progressively assume full operational leadership of the West Texas Mesonet, including the integrated TxDOT roadside weather stations, during and following the planned leadership transition period.
Drive to Mesonet sites to conduct or oversee field installations, maintenance visits, and site assessments as needed for quality control, troubleshooting, stakeholder relationship management, and system performance evaluation.
Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, standards, documentation, and training related to network operations, workplace and field safety, data quality, equipment maintenance, and regulatory or sponsor compliance.
Evaluate current and emerging technologies related to meteorological instrumentation, communications systems, data acquisition, cloud computing, automated quality control, and public-facing data delivery.
Prepare and present technical, operational, and programmatic reports to NWI leadership, sponsors, agency representatives, and other stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and strategic priorities of the National Wind Institute.